Polished Swingarm ? How to get it back to the factory look

Bonecrush
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Bonecrush
Edited Date/Time 8/8/2018 7:27am
Hey guys, looking for suggestions on how to get a 1983 RM500 swingarm back to its original brushed factory finish. Someone along the way polished the swingarm and torque arm to what is a shiny mirror like finish. I know there are a lot of folks who appreciate and like that look, but I'm more of a purist and want to get it back to the flat brushed appearance. What's the best way to accomplish this?
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macolmedo
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macolmedo 4/27/2018 4:35pm
4/27/2018 4:35pm
Hi

check the pictures of the swingarm of my RM80 1983
the swingarm has been powder coated with correct champagne gold color
Bonecrush
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Bonecrush 4/27/2018 4:53pm
4/27/2018 4:53pm
You did a spectacular job on that. I know the RM80 has a steel swingarm, so powder coat makes sense. I want to get my RM500 aluminum swingarm back to the original brushed look.
macolmedo
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macolmedo 4/27/2018 4:56pm
4/27/2018 4:56pm
you will have to look at the parts diagram of your bike
if the part number ends in: -08C , means that is champagne gold
check my example for the RM80 1983
REAR SWINGING ARM SET (GOLD) MODEL D
61000-20902-08C

If it does not have a code after the part number probably it has the natural finish of the cast aluminum
you could probably get it close using a scrubber wheel, you will get like a satin brush finish
look at this part that was originally cast aluminum from my rm80 1983 and I used the scrubber wheel

macolmedo
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macolmedo 4/27/2018 5:02pm
4/27/2018 5:02pm
check the before pictures

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banshee
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banshee 4/27/2018 6:34pm
4/27/2018 6:34pm
as follows.
1.battery powered angle grinder with a half used flapper disc
2. poly flap disc on grinder
3. think it was 1000 grade sand paper in a up and down motion
4.wet and dry sand paper
5.Scotchbrite in up and down motion
Some people may not agree with the method but it was the only way of getting it the way it is now

you may be able to skip the flapper disc part depending how bad the swing arm is.


Bonecrush
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Bonecrush 4/28/2018 4:56am
4/28/2018 4:56am Edited Date/Time 4/28/2018 4:56am
Banshee and Macolmedo, thank you both. That's the look I am trying to get mine back to. You guys wouldn't happen to have pictures of the discs/wheels you actually used do you ? Thanks so much again.
banshee
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banshee 4/28/2018 6:45pm
4/28/2018 6:45pm
if your swing arm is already polished I don't think you'll need the sand paper flap disc.

Bonecrush
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Bonecrush 4/30/2018 10:53am
4/30/2018 10:53am Edited Date/Time 8/8/2018 7:27am
Banshee, thanks so much for taking the time to do that. Appreciate it.
macolmedo
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macolmedo 4/30/2018 5:56pm
4/30/2018 5:56pm
Bonecrush wrote:
Banshee and Macolmedo, thank you both. That's the look I am trying to get mine back to. You guys wouldn't happen to have pictures of the...
Banshee and Macolmedo, thank you both. That's the look I am trying to get mine back to. You guys wouldn't happen to have pictures of the discs/wheels you actually used do you ? Thanks so much again.
Hi

Sorry for the delay.
you could buy it from Caswell plating


RyanLester761
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RyanLester761 5/1/2018 2:15pm
5/1/2018 2:15pm
Straight line pneumatic sander could help if you can hold it perfectly straight. Tongue

Garand1
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Garand1 5/1/2018 6:33pm
5/1/2018 6:33pm
I'd have it blasted to lose the mirror finish, probably soda blasted would work well.
Bonecrush
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Bonecrush 5/8/2018 7:46am
5/8/2018 7:46am
Malco, Ryan, and Garand. Thank you guys for the replies and information. I'll post pics once I tackle this part of the project.

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